Apparatus for processing photographic material or the like

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for wet treatment of photographic strips has two pairs of rollers which transport the strip in a channel between upper and lower liquid discharging chambers. The lower roller of each pair dips into a supply of processing liquid in a vessel wherein the upper surface of liquid is maintained at a constant level. A pump draws liquid from the vessel and feeds into the two chambers which are provided with orifices serving to direct streams of liquid against the upper side and the underside of the strip in the channel and counter to the direction of strip travel. The open ends of the channel are adjacent to the two pairs of rollers so that the liquid issuing from the channel flows along the lower rollers and back into the supply of liquid in the vessel with a minimum of turbulence.

United States Patent Frick et a1.

[ 1 3,688,677 [4 Sept'.5, 1972 [5 41 APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING Reedy et a1. ..95/89 R PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL OR THE 3,344,729 10/1967 Kitrosser ..95/89 R LIKE 2,168,997 8/1939 Lankes etal .....95/94R X [72] Inventors; H Dieter Frkk; E i Geyken; 3,220,302 11/1965 Cuthbert et a1. ..95/89RX Peter Dawidowitsch; Helmut Primary Examiner-Samuel 8. Matthews r all of Mumch Assistant Examiner-Fred L. Braun y Attorney-Michael S. Striker [73] Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft,

Leverkusen, Germany '[57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Dec. 11, 1970 Apparatus 'for wet treatment of photographic strips has two pairs of rollers which transport the strip in a [21] Appl' 97272 channel between upper and lower liquid discharging chambers. The lower roller of eachpair clips into a [30] Foreign Application Priority Data supply of processing liquid in a vessel wherein the upper surface of liquid is maintained at a constant Dec. 12, 1969 Germany ..P 19 62 422.7 level. A p p draws 1i qui d from the vessel and feeds I into the two chambers which are provided with ori- (g1. flees serving to direct Streams of liquid against the upper side and the underside of the Strip in the cham [58] Field of Search ..95/89 R, 89 A, 94 R, 96 ml and counter to the direction of strip travel- The open ends of the channel are adjacent to the two pairs [56] References Clted of rollers so that'the liquid issuing from the channel UNITED STATES PATENTS fllill/S along the lower rollers back into ghue supply 3,192,846 7/1965 Wright ..95/89 R x 0 mm m the vessel a 0 mt 3,315,583 4/1967 Hunt ..95/89 R X 12 Claims, 3 Drawing figures PAIE'NTEDsEP 51912 SHEET 1 0F 3 INVENTOR HANS-DIETER FRICK BY ERWIN GEYKEN PETER DAWIDOWII'SCH HELMUT SCHAUSBERGER A #4? f. fiv/m PATENTEBsEP 5:912 3.6881577 sum 2 or a IN V EN TOR HANS-DIETER FRICK BY ERWIN GEYKEN PETER DAWIDOWITSCH HELMUT SCHAUSBERGER APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPI'IIC MATERIAL OR THE LIKE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The apparatus of the present application constitutes an improvement over and a further development of apparatus disclosed in the copending application Ser. No. 737,561 filed June 17, 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,610,131, by Hans-Dieter Frick et al. and assigned to the same assignee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for processing of photographic strip material, and more particularly to improvements in wet treatment of strips of photographic material which move lengthwise. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in processing apparatus wherein the travelling strip of photographic material is treated by streams of a developing, fixing or washing liquid.

It is already known to convey strips of photographic material lengthwise through a channel between upper and lower chambers which discharge streams of a developing liquid against both sides of the travelling strip. The strip is advanced by pairs of rollers which are mounted upstream and downstream of the channel. A drawback of presently known apparatus of the just outlined character is that the developing liquid is permitted to come into excessive contact with oxygen which affects the economy of the operation. The supply of developing liquid is agitated during pumping of liquid into the chambers and during return flow back into the main supply of liquid whereby the returning streams entrain substantial quantities of air which is caused to penetrate into the main supply. Oxidation renders the developing liquid useless for further treatment of photographic material. The main reason for excessive oxidation is the fact that the streams of liquid which flow off the travelling strip are permitted to descend by gravity directly into the main supply of liquid in the vessel with resulting introduction of large quantities of air into such supply. Furthermore, the descending streams of developing liquid cause extensive splashing which also promotes the mixing of oxygen with the developing liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for wet treatment of travelling strips of photographic material, particularly for treatment of such material with streams of a developing liquid, which is constructed and assembled in such a way that the contact between atmospheric air and the liquid is reduced to a minimum to thus retard oxidation and to insure longerlasting usefulness of the liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a processing apparatus wherein the mechanism which transports the strips of photographic material during treatment with a developing or other liquid contributes to a reduction of contact between the liquid and atmospheric air.

A further object of the invention is to provide a processing apparatus which is economical (as concerns the consumption of processing liquid) and can be used for treatment of different types of sizes of photographic materials.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the strips of photographic material are automatically guided to remain in their path and wherein such strips are treated uniformly, in a small area and with substantial savings in processing liquid.

The invention is embodied in an apparatus for wet treatment of photographic strip material which comprises a vessel containing a supply of processing liquid (e.g., a developing solution), level regulating means for maintaining the upper surface of liquid in the vessel at a predetermined level (i.e., within a predetermined range of levels), a first and a spaced second pair of rotary transporting members defining a preferably horizontal path for lengthwise transport of strip material above the liquid level, each pair of transporting members including a lower member which dips into the supply of liquid in the vessel, upper and lower liquid discharging chambers disposed between the two pairs of transporting members and respectively located above and below the path for the strip material, a channel defined by the chambers for the passage of strip material between the two pairs of transporting members, first and second outlet means provided in the upper and lower chambers for discharging streams of processing liquid against the upper side and the underside of the strip material in the channel, the channel having an open end in the region of each pair of transporting members so that the liquid which is discharged by the outlet means of the chambers can pass through the channel to flow along the lower transporting members and into the supply of liquid in the vessel without appreciable splashing, and means for feeding processing liquid into the chambers. Such feeding means preferably comprises a pump which draws liquid from the supply in the vessel.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.

The improved processing apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of a processing apparatus which embodies the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line ll-II of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line Ill-III of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS processing liquid which extends to the level 132 (FIG. 1) when the processing apparatus is in use. To this end, the vessel is provided or combined with suitablelevel regulating means here shown as including at least one overflow opening 12!; which is formed in a side wall of the vessel and discharges surplus liquid into a conduit 30 containing a shutoff valve 31, preferably a solenoidoperated valve connected in circuit with a suitable time-delay relay 31a which effects opening of the valve with a predetermined delay following the actuation of a pump P which serves to draw processing liquid from the supply in the vessel 12.

The platens l and 1' preferably consist of hard tissue or plastic or any. other corrosion-resistant material. The space between the platens 1 and l' accommodates two pairs of strip transporting rollers 2, 3 and 4, 5 having their shafts mounted in the platens in such a way that the lower rollers 3 and 5 permanently dip into the supply of liquid in the vessel 1 when the frame is properly mounted on the vessel, also at the time when the valve 31 is open so as to permit overflow of surplus liquid by way of the opening 12b. The upper and lower rollers of each pair are coupled by mating gears 6 and 7 so that the rollers 3, 5 rotate in a clockwise direction when the rollers, 2, 4 are driven to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1. A strip whose leader is fed into the nip between the rollers 2, 3 is thereby advanced along a horizontal path indicated by the phantom line 100 to travel in the direction indicated by the arrow 33 and to pass through and beyond the nip between the rollers 4, 5. The means for driving the upper rollers 2, 4 comprises worm wheels 9 which are mounted on the shafts 8 of these rollers (only the shaft 8 for the roller 2 is shown in FIG. 2) and mesh with a worm 10 provided on a driven worm shaft 11 which extends in parallelism with the path 100 at right angles to the axes of the rollers 2-5. The platens l and I carry sheet metal clips 13 (only one shown in FIG. 2) which can be slipped over the upper edge portions 12a of the side walls of the vessel 12 to thereby mount the frame in a predetermined position with reference to the vessel. in such predetermined position of the frame, the worm wheels 9 rest on and mesh with the worm 10. Thus, the'driving connection between the shaft 11 and the upper rollers 2, 4 can be established or terminated in response to proper mounting of the frame on or its lifting above and away from the vessel 12. The shaft 11 is driven by a variable-speed electric motor or a variable-speed transmission (not shown) and can serve to rotate the upper rollers of a battery of processing apparatus each of which is preferably identical with the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2. The upper rollers of all apparatus are preferably driven at the same speed.

The space between the platens 1 and 1' further ac commodates two liquid discharging chambers 16 and 17 which are disposed between the front and rear pairs of transporting rollers 2-5. The lower chamber 16 is separably secured to the platens be screws or bolts 14, or analogous fasteners. The two chambers 16, 17 may form a one-piece unit and they consist mainly of stainless steel. The chambers 16, 17 define a horizontal channel 102 wherein the strip advances during movement between the nips of the rollers 2, 3 and 4, 5. This chamber 102 is open at both ends, i.e., in the region of the rollers 2, 3 and in the region of the rollers 4, 5. The

side walls or lateral walls 18, 19 of the chambers 16, 17 are adjacent to but spaced from the platens l and 1' (only one of each of the side walls 18 and 19 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and at least one of each of the side walls 18, 19 is provided with an elongated inlet opening 180, 19a for admission of processing liquid into the interior. of the respective chamber. The side walls l8, 19 preferably consist of synthetic plastic material. The openings 18a, 19a respectively admit liquid into narrow passages or channels 16a, 17a of the chambers 16 and 17. Such narrow passages are formed by the bottom and top walls of the chambers l6, 17 on the one hand and by blockshaped inserts 24, 25 on the other hand. These inserts are respectively mounted in the chambers 16, 17 and are held in requisite positions by screws 20, 21 or analogous fasteners. The upper and lower sides of the channel 102 are respectively flanked by bottom and top walls 23, 22 of the chambersv l7, 16. These walls respectively overlie the inserts 25, 24. A vertical portion of the bottom wall 23 in thechamber 17 extends upwardly close to the top wall of this chamber to form with the top wall a narrow slot 17b through which the liquid can overflow from the'passage 17a into a vertical liquid distributing passage 170. The top wall of the chamber 17 slopes upwardly in a direction from the roller 2 toward the slot 17b in order-to insure that the liquid must fill the passage 17a before it can overflow through the slot 17b and into the distributing passage 170. Thus, the liquid must expel air from the passage 17a before it can enter the passage 17c on its way toward the channel 102. The passage 17c feeds liquid to an elongated slit-shaped orifice or opening 17c serving to direct a wide stream of processing liquid against the upper side of the strip which advances along the path 100. The stream which issues from the orifice 17c flows rearwardly, i.e., counter to the direction (arrow 33) of travel of the strip, and makes with the plane of the path an acute angle, preferably an angle of about 30. The insures that at least some of the liquid which issues from the orifice l7e' flows toward the open rear end of the channel 102. Some liquid is entrained by the upper side of the travelling strip and flows toward the front rollers 4, 5. The forwardly and upwardly inclined top wall of the chamber 17 cooperates with the slot 17b to insure complete evacuation of air from the passage 17a when the apparatus is started, i.e., when the pump P begins to feed processing liquid to the inlets 18a, 19a in the side walls l8, 19 of the chambers l6, 17.

The lower chamber 16 is similar to the upper chamber 17. The upper side of thebottom wall of the chamber 16 is flush with the lowermost part of the inlet opening 18a to insure that all of the liquid can escape from the chamber 16 by way of the inlet opening 18a when the pump P is idle. The underside of the insert 24 slopes upwardly toward the front rollers 4, 5 in a direction toward an outlet orifice 16b which directs a stream of processing liquid against the underside of the travelling strip in the channel 102. The stream issuing from the orifice 16b also flows counter to the direction of strip travel and makes with the plane of the path 100 and acute angle, preferable an angle of about 30. Some of the liquid which issues from the orifice 16b flows toward the open rear end of the channel 102, and the remaining liquid flows forwardly toward the open front end of the channel in the region of the lower roller 5. The inclination of the underside of the insert 24 is desirable to insure that the liquid which is admitted into the chamber 16 by way of the inlet opening 18a of the side wall 18 must completely fill the passage 160 before it can rise to the level of the orifice 16b; this guarantees that the liquid expels air from the passage 16a before it forms a stream which is discharged by way of the orifice 16b to impinge against the underside of the travelling strip.

The lower chamber 16 comprises forwardly and rearwardly projecting extensions 16c, 16d which extend beyond the walls 22, 23 and close to the lower front and rear rollers 5, 3. Each of these extensions forms with the adjacent lower roller a rather narrow clearance or gap which conveys liquid from the channel 102 to the periphery of the respective lower roller. Such liquid flows along the lower rollers and back into the supply of liquid in the vessel 12 with a minimum of turbulence. This reduces the likelihood of penetration of excessive quantities of air into the supply of liquid. Such penetration is further reduced due to the fact that one side of the liquid film which flows along the lower rollers 3, 5 and back into the supply of liquid in the vessel 12 is not exposed to air.

The upper chamber 17 is provided with forwardly and rearwardly projecting extensions 17g, 17f which are adjacent to but spaced from the lower extensions 16c, 16d. The extensions 16c, 16d and 17g, 17f have roof-shaped portions which constrict the open front and rear ends of the channel 102. The remaining portion of the lower rear extension 16d is substantially horizontal and terminates close to the periphery of the lower rear roller 3. The remaining part of the lower front extension 160 slopes upwardly toward the lower front roller 5 (as at 1 160) so as to serve as a ramp along which the leader of a fresh strip can slide to find its way into the nip between the rollers 4, 5. The lower extensions 16c, 16d are respectively flanked by pairs of vertical side panels 26, 27 which define therewith two short troughs wherein the liquid issuing from the respective ends of the channel 102 flows toward the peripheral surfaces of the lower rollers 5 and 3. The side panels 26, 27 are high enough to prevent direct flow of escaping liquid from the channel 102 into the supply of liquid in the vessel 12. Such direct outflow of liquid could cause splashing and excessive oxidation of the main supply of liquid in the vessel 12. A small opening 216c in the deepmost zone of the lower front extension 160 permits complete evacuation of liquid when the pump P is idle.

FIG. 2 shows that the bottom wall of the vessel 12 is connected with an evacuating pipe 127 which is connected with the intake of the pump P. The pump P is a rotary vane pump and its outlet feeds pressurized liquid into a supply conduit 28 by way of a suitable filter F. The purpose of the filter F is to intercept impurities which might be contained in the supply of liquid in the vessel 12. Though the drawing shows a single supply pipe 28, the apparatus is preferably provided with two such pipes each of which serves to deliver liquid to one of the inlet openings 18a and to one of the inlet openings 19a. Each pipe 28 is separably connected with (for example, fitted into) a simple milled nipple 29 which is secured to the vessel 12. The nipple 29 is connected with two risers 103 (one shown in FIG. 3) convey liquid to the respective inlet openings 18a and 19a. The risers 103 are mounted on the upper portion of the vessel 12 and communicate with the respective nipple 29 and with each other. Portions of the risers 103 are sealingly engaged by the corresponding side walls 18, 19 when the frame including the platens l, l is properly mounted on the vessel. The inlet openings 18a, 19a resemble funnels and diverge in the direction of liquid inflow into the chambers 16, 17. The size of the liquid discharging openings 104 in the risers 103 determines the rate of liquid flow into the chambers 16 and 17. Such rate of liquid flow is further controlled by the speed at which the liquid is circulated by the pump P. The gradual widening of inlet openings 18a, 19a in the direction from the risers 103 toward the respective passages 16a, 17a insures that the inflow of liquid into the chambers 16, 17 takes place with a minimum of turbulence.

The provision of the overflow opening 12b or analogous liquid level regulating means is necessary because the vessel 12 receives fresh processing liquid from a regenerating device, not shown, preferably at a rate which is proportional to the rate of strip transport through the channel 102. When the valve 31 in the conduit 30 is open, the surplus of liquid can escape by way of the overflow opening 12b so that the level 132 of liquid in the vessel 12 remains unchanged when the apparatus is in use. Such level is selected with a view to insure that the lower rollers 3 and 5 dip into the supply of liquid in the vessel 12. As stated before, the time delay relay 31a insures that the valve 31 opens with a certain delay following the activation of the pump P.

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of one of the upper side walls 19 with a funnel-shaped inlet opening 19a which diverges from the riser 103 toward the passage 17a in the chamber 17. The passage is separated from the inlet opening 19a by the wall 23, and the numeral 104 denotes the opening in the riser 103. The latter has a second opening 104 (not shown) which admits liquid to the inlet opening 18a of the corresponding side wall 18 in the lower chamber 16.

The operation:

When the pump is idle, the valve 31 in the conduit 30 is closed and the supply of liquid in the vessel 12 extends to the level 32. This is due to the fact that the chambers 16, 17 are empty. Closing of the valve 31 simultaneously with inactivation of the pump P is desirable to avoid unnecessary losses in processing liquid. When the pump P is started, the supply of liquid in the vessel 12 rapidly descends to the level 132 because the pump withdraws a substantial amount of liquid for introduction into the chambers 16, 17. In the absence of the time-delay relay 31a, the valve 31 would open simultaneously with activation of the pump P and would permit a substantial amount of liquid to escape by way of the overflow opening 12b. The delay with which the valve 31 opens following activation of the pump P is selected in such a way that the losses in processing liquid during starting are negligible. The valve 31 closes again as soon as the pump P is stopped. This insures that the vessel 12 does not receive a substantial amount of fresh processing liquid which would change the composition of the supply of liquid in the vessel due to admission of regenerated liquid. The

valve 31 cooperates with the pump P to insure that the composition of processing liquid during periods of idleness is substantially identical with the composition when the apparatus is in use.

It is clear that the overflow opening 12b constitutes but one of various level regulating means which can be utilized in out apparatus. For example, the apparatus may utilize level regulating means in the form of a float or a so-called bird fountain. Fluctuations in the composition of the processing liquid in the vessel are highly undesirable because they can affect the quality of developed photographic strips.

When the pump P is on, the processing liquid is drawn by way of the pipe 127 and ispumped upwardly through the pipes 28 to enter the nipples 29 and the risers 1'03 whence it flows into the inlet openings 18a and 19a for entry into the passages 16a, 17a of the chambers l6, 17. Once the passages l6a,.l7a are filled with liquid(i.e., once the passages are completely free of air), the liquid flows through the orifices 16b, 17: to form ,two streams which impinge against the underside and the upper side of the strip whichadvances along the path 100. The two streams are discharged in such a way that they flow counter to the direction of lengthwise travel of the strip (arrow33). The liquidin the channel 102 forms two cushions whichtreat the respective sides of the strip with a high degree of uniformity. The two cushions extend all the way to or close to the rollers 2, 3. The liquid which issues by way of the rear end of the channel 102 flows along the periphery of the lower roller 3 and returns into the supply of liquid in the vessel l2 without any appreciable splashing. The roller 3 produces a desirable braking action which also reduces the likelihood of splashing at the point where the liquid film reaches the level 132. This insures that little or no air is caused to penetrate into the body of liquid in the vessel 12. The speed at which the liquid film flowing along the periphery of the roller 3 toward the lever 32 is considerably less than the speed of a liquid stream which is permitted to descend by gravity from the channel 102 into the supply of liquid in the vessel 12.

A certain amount of liquid flows forwardly in the direction of lengthwise travel of the strip along the path 100 and reachesthe trough defined by the extension 16c and side panels 26. Such liquid descends along the periphery of the lower roller 5 and returns into the.

supply of liquid in the vessel 12 without any appreciable splashing. The ramp ll6c of the extension 16c causes the leader of a fresh strip to advance upwardly toward the nip between the rollers 4 and 5. The leader tends to flex downwardly under the weight of liquid which the strip carries on its way toward the rollers 4 and 5. Once the leader enters the nip between the rollers 4 and 5, the strip is lifted off the ramp 1160 so that its emulsion cannot be scratched or otherwise damaged during transport in the channel 102. The side panels 26, 27 further reduce the likelihood of splashing and oxidation. These side panels cooperate with the extensions 16c, 16d to guide the liquid close to the peripheries of the lower rollers 3, 5 and to prevent overflow of liquid beyond the lateral edges of the extensions 16c, 16d and'directly into the liquid supply in the vessel 12.

The side panels 26, 27 and the extensions 16c, 16d further serve to extend the cushions of processing liquid all the way to the rollers 2, 3 and 4, 5. Thus, the strip which advances along the path is bathed in processing liquid substantially all the way from the nip of the rollers 2, 3 to the nip of the rollers 4, 5. The treatment at the underside of the strip is just as intensive as the treatment at the upper side. The upper cushion of processing liquid extends all the way to the rollers 2, 3 and 4, 5 because such cushion rests on the upper side of the strip in the path 100.

The films of liquid which flow along the peripheries of the lower rollers 3 and 5 produce an effective washing or cleaning action which insures that these rollers cannot carry impurities into contact with the underside of the strip.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly suited for circulation of a photographic developing solution which is to be kept from extensive contact with oxygen. It is clear, however, that the apparatus can be used with advantage for circulation of other types of liquids, such as a fixer or pure water. For example, one or more apparatus containing a developing solution can be placed in series with one or more apparatus containing a fixer and/or one or more apparatus containing a washing liquid. The cost of the apparatus is reduced proportionally with the number of manufactured units. Experiments with our apparatus have shown that the oxidation of developing solution is just as limited as in conventional U-shaped developing tanks wherein the liquid is circulated only below the upper level.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected I by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In an apparatus for wet treatment of photographic strip material, a combination comprising a vessel containing a supply of processing liquid; level regulating means for maintaining the upper surface of liquid in said vessel at a predetermined level; a first and a spaced second pair of rotary transporting members defining a substantially horizontal path for lengthwise transport of strip material above the liquid level, each of said pairs including a lower member which dips into the supply of liquid; upper and lower liquid discharging chambers disposed between said pairs of transporting members and respectively located above and below said path, said upper and lower chambers defining a channel for the strip material and respectively having first and second outlet means for directing streams of processing liquid against the upper side and the underside of strip material in said channel, said channel having first and second open ends'in the region of said first and second pairs of transporting members; first and second liquidintercepting extensions flanking said path from below and respectively disposed between said first and second open ends and the lower members of said first and second pairs of said transporting members so that the liquid which is discharged by said outlet means and passes through said channel flows along said extensions and the respective lower members and into the supply of liquid in said vessel; and means for feeding processing liquid into said chambers.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said level regulating means comprises at least one overflow opening in said vessel.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said feeding means comprises pump means for drawing the liquid from said supply in said vessel.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said level regulating means comprises at least one overflow opening in said vessel, conduit means connected with said vessel to receive the liquid which overflows through said opening, normally open valve means in said conduit means, and means for closing said valve means in response to inactivation of said pump means.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said valve means is a solenoid-operated valve.

6. A combination as defined in claim 4, further comprising means for delaying the opening of said valve means in response to activation of said pump means.

7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said extensions slopes upwardly toward the respective lower transporting member.

8. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a frame supporting said chambers and said ing outwardly in the direction of liquid flow into the respective chamber.

11. A combination asdefined in claim 10, wherein each of said inlets is a flat funnel.

12. In an apparatus for wet treatment of photographic strip material, a combination comprising a vessel containing a supply of processing liquid; level regulating means for maintaining the upper surface of liquid in said vessel at a predetermined level; a first and a spaced second pair of rotary transporting members defining a substantially horizontal path for lengthwise transport of strip material above the liquid level, each of said pairs including a lower member which dips into the supply of liquid; upper and lower liquid discharging chambers disposed between said pairs of transporting members and respectively located above and below said path, said upper and lower chambers defining a channel for the strip material and respectively having first and second outlet means for directing streams of processing liquid against the upper side and the underside of strip material in said channel, said channel having open ends in the region of said pairs of transporting members and said lower chamber being provided with two liquid-intercepting extensions flanking a portion of said channel from below and each extending into close proximity of one of said lower transporting members so that the liquid which is discharged by said outlet means and passes through said channel flows along said lower members and into the supply of liquid in said vessel;

airs 0 side anels flank'n rtion of said han el nd sai d exte nsions, each f s ih extensions formi ng with a pair of said side panels a trough wherein the liquid flows toward the respective lower transporting member; and means for feeding processing liquid into said chambers. 

1. In an apparatus for wet treatmeNt of photographic strip material, a combination comprising a vessel containing a supply of processing liquid; level regulating means for maintaining the upper surface of liquid in said vessel at a predetermined level; a first and a spaced second pair of rotary transporting members defining a substantially horizontal path for lengthwise transport of strip material above the liquid level, each of said pairs including a lower member which dips into the supply of liquid; upper and lower liquid discharging chambers disposed between said pairs of transporting members and respectively located above and below said path, said upper and lower chambers defining a channel for the strip material and respectively having first and second outlet means for directing streams of processing liquid against the upper side and the underside of strip material in said channel, said channel having first and second open ends in the region of said first and second pairs of transporting members; first and second liquid-intercepting extensions flanking said path from below and respectively disposed between said first and second open ends and the lower members of said first and second pairs of said transporting members so that the liquid which is discharged by said outlet means and passes through said channel flows along said extensions and the respective lower members and into the supply of liquid in said vessel; and means for feeding processing liquid into said chambers.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said level regulating means comprises at least one overflow opening in said vessel.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said feeding means comprises pump means for drawing the liquid from said supply in said vessel.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said level regulating means comprises at least one overflow opening in said vessel, conduit means connected with said vessel to receive the liquid which overflows through said opening, normally open valve means in said conduit means, and means for closing said valve means in response to inactivation of said pump means.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said valve means is a solenoid-operated valve.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 4, further comprising means for delaying the opening of said valve means in response to activation of said pump means.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said extensions slopes upwardly toward the respective lower transporting member.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a frame supporting said chambers and said transporting members and being separably mounted in said vessel.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said frame comprises a pair of parallel upright platens, said chambers and said transporting members being disposed between said platens.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said chambers has a liquid-admitting inlet connected with said feeding means, each of said inlets flaring outwardly in the direction of liquid flow into the respective chamber.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein each of said inlets is a flat funnel.
 12. In an apparatus for wet treatment of photographic strip material, a combination comprising a vessel containing a supply of processing liquid; level regulating means for maintaining the upper surface of liquid in said vessel at a predetermined level; a first and a spaced second pair of rotary transporting members defining a substantially horizontal path for lengthwise transport of strip material above the liquid level, each of said pairs including a lower member which dips into the supply of liquid; upper and lower liquid discharging chambers disposed between said pairs of transporting members and respectively located above and below said path, said upper and lower chambers defining a channel for the strip material and respectively having first and second outlet means for directing streams of processIng liquid against the upper side and the underside of strip material in said channel, said channel having open ends in the region of said pairs of transporting members and said lower chamber being provided with two liquid-intercepting extensions flanking a portion of said channel from below and each extending into close proximity of one of said lower transporting members so that the liquid which is discharged by said outlet means and passes through said channel flows along said lower members and into the supply of liquid in said vessel; pairs of side panels flanking a portion of said channel and said extensions, each of said extensions forming with a pair of said side panels a trough wherein the liquid flows toward the respective lower transporting member; and means for feeding processing liquid into said chambers. 